What Is It Like

"What Is It Like" is a contemplative exploration of empathy, perspective, and the boundless curiosity of the human mind. The song's meaning is not rooted in a narrative but in its central, recurring question. By having the vocalist, Pamela Anderson, pose a series of imaginative questions about different states of being, the song invites listeners to step outside their own consciousness. It challenges the listener to consider perspectives entirely alien to their own—from the life of a plant to the existence of a star. The collaboration itself adds a layer of meaning; featuring a well-known public figure in such a philosophical and stripped-down role subverts expectations and adds to the track's unique, questioning atmosphere. In a track-by-track breakdown of the album "Amadeus," Wolfram mentioned that he admires Pamela Anderson for her environmental work, calling this the "greenest track on my album," which adds an eco-conscious layer to the questions about being a plant or animal. This suggests the song is also a gentle push towards a deeper empathy and connection with the natural world.

The song unfolds as a series of curious, almost philosophical questions directed at someone who has seemingly undergone a significant or unusual experience. The lyrics, delivered in a spoken-word style, repeatedly pose the question, "What is it like?" This central query is followed by more specific, evocative, and sometimes surreal inquiries. The narrator asks what it's like to be a myriad of things: an animal, a plant, a star in the sky, or even a tear in someone's eye. This creates a vast canvas of curiosity, touching upon different states of being and existence.

The questioning delves into both the tangible and the abstract. There are questions about physical sensations and transformations, such as what it's like to have wings, to be able to fly, or to be a color in a painting that is still wet. These images are vivid and sensory, inviting the listener to imagine these impossible states. The tone is not demanding but rather one of genuine, almost childlike wonder and a deep desire to understand a perspective entirely different from the narrator's own.

As the song progresses, the questions become more introspective and existential. The narrator asks about the nature of dreams, the experience of being a memory, and the feeling of being a secret that has never been told. This shift moves the focus from external, physical transformations to internal, emotional, and metaphysical ones. The repetition of "Tell me, what is it like?" acts as a constant, gentle pressure, a plea for insight into the unknown. The song doesn't provide any answers; its power lies entirely in the act of questioning. It paints a portrait of a person fascinated by the boundless possibilities of experience, life, and consciousness, reaching out to grasp a piece of understanding from a world of infinite perspectives.

"What Is It Like" was released in 2019 as a track on the album Amadeus by Austrian electronic music producer and DJ, Wolfram Eckert, known professionally as Wolfram. The album was released on the DFA record label in the US and through a collaboration between Public Possession and Live From Earth in Germany. A notable feature of the song is the spoken-word vocal performance by actress and activist Pamela Anderson, who is credited as 'Pam' on the tracklist. Wolfram is known for his collaborations with a diverse range of artists, and his album Amadeus also features appearances by Peaches, Haddaway, and Egyptian Lover. In an interview, Wolfram explained his choice of collaborator, stating he admires Pamela Anderson for her environmental activism, particularly with organizations like PETA. This background provides context for the song's themes of questioning different forms of existence, aligning with a broader sense of empathy for all living things.

The song operates as a piece of free verse set to music, eschewing a traditional rhyme scheme entirely. The structure is built around the repetition of the core phrase "What is it like?" which serves as an anaphora, creating a rhythmic and hypnotic lyrical pulse. The rhythm of the vocal delivery is conversational and prose-like, flowing naturally over the steady, mid-tempo electronic beat. The musical rhythm is simple and consistent, primarily a four-on-the-floor pattern that provides a stable, non-intrusive foundation for the spoken-word narrative. This deliberate simplicity in both lyrical and musical rhythm ensures that the listener's focus remains on the content and imaginative weight of the questions being asked, enhancing the song's meditative and inquisitive atmosphere.

Musically, "What Is It Like" employs a minimalist synth-pop arrangement, characteristic of Wolfram's Nu-Disco and Euro-dance influenced style. The track is built upon a bed of shimmering synthesizers, a steady, simple drum machine beat, and an atmospheric soundscape that feels both retro and futuristic. The most prominent stylistic choice is the use of spoken-word vocals by Pamela Anderson instead of traditional singing. Her delivery is calm, inquisitive, and devoid of overt emotion, which places the full weight of the song on the imaginative power of the lyrics. This creates a hypnotic, almost meditative quality. The production is clean and polished, honoring the spirit of 80s electronic disco without falling into pure pastiche. The juxtaposition of a famous, often-objectified voice with such abstract, philosophical questions is a powerful artistic statement in itself.

"What Is It Like" is a track from Wolfram's 2019 album Amadeus. While not a commercial hit in its own right, its significance lies within the context of the album and Wolfram's career as a DJ and producer known for his stylish revival of Italo-disco and Euro-dance. The song gained attention primarily for its unusual collaboration with Pamela Anderson. This pairing of a respected underground electronic producer with a global pop culture icon generated discussion in music journalism and among fans, highlighting Wolfram's penchant for interesting and unexpected guest vocalists. The album Amadeus was released on the influential indie label DFA Records in the U.S., which gave it a degree of credibility and reach within the alternative and electronic music scenes. The song's use of a celebrity in a non-traditional, artistic role contributes to a wider trend of cross-media collaboration and subverting public personas.

The primary literary device in "What Is It Like" is the relentless use of rhetorical and philosophical questions, which function as metaphors for empathy and the desire for expanded consciousness. Each question—"What is it like to be a plant?", "What is it like to be a star in the sky?", "What is it like to be a tear in someone's eye?"—is a symbolic attempt to transcend the self. The 'tear' symbolizes shared sadness and connection, while the 'star' represents distance, brilliance, and a cosmic perspective. The 'plant' is a metaphor for a silent, rooted, and purely organic existence. The song as a whole can be seen as a metaphor for the artistic and philosophical process itself: the act of constantly asking questions without necessarily seeking definitive answers, but rather to broaden one's understanding and perspective.

The most significant recurring motif is the lyrical phrase "What is it like?" which opens nearly every line of the song. This repetition acts as the central structural and thematic pillar. It's not just a recurring phrase but the very engine of the song, driving its philosophical inquiry forward. Its constant return creates a sense of obsessive curiosity and deep longing for understanding. A secondary motif is the theme of transformation and perspective-shifting, as the narrator cycles through questions about being an animal, a plant, an object, or an abstract concept. This constant shifting of the subject of inquiry reinforces the song's core message about the fluidity of experience and the challenge of empathy.